Abstract: An application services broker includes a plurality of adapter modules, each of which are associated with a respective application service. Application service data is received from a first application service and converted to a first message having a predefined message format by a first adapter module associated with the first application service. The first message is sent from the first adapter module to a second adapter module associated with a second application service. The first message is converted to application service data for the second application service by the second adapter module.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for the repair and reinforcement of poles.

Abstract: An application services broker includes a plurality of adapter modules, each of which are associated with a respective application service. Application service data is received from a first application service and converted to a first message having a predefined message format by a first adapter module associated with the first application service. The first message is sent from the first adapter module to a second adapter module associated with a second application service. The first message is converted to application service data for the second application service by the second adapter module.

Abstract: Shoe sole that promotes a natural walking gait by promoting the natural step motion of a barefoot person walking in sand. The shoe sole has is a single-shot injection molded sole that has a continuously, irregularly curved lower surface and a multi-contoured upper surface. The lower surface has a radius of curvature in the heel area that is smaller than the radius of curvature in the toe area. The upper surface has an arch support, a depression for cradling the ball of the foot, and flex zones that promote flexing of the shoe sole in the longitudinal and transverse direction.

Abstract: A low sidestream smoke cigarette comprises a conventional tobacco rod, and a combustible treatment paper having a sidestream smoke treatment composition. The treatment composition comprises in combination, an oxygen storage and donor metal oxide oxidation catalyst and an essentially non-combustible particulate adjunct for said catalyst. Improvements are made in the treatment composition and/or the addition of metal oxides or carbonates thereto to improve ash characteristics.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cigarette for reducing a ratio of at least one constituent to tar in mainstream smoke. The cigarette comprises at least one of a low efficiency tobacco smoke filter and a tobacco blend having a lower stem content as compared to a conventional tobacco.

Abstract: The use of a treatment composition for a cigarette to reduce at least one constituent of mainstream smoke from a burning cigarette, the treatment composition comprising, in combination, an oxygen storage and donor metal oxide oxidation catalyst and an essentially non-combustible finely divided porous particulate adjunct.

Abstract: A method and system for servicing an equity-based employee benefit program comprising a framework services module, a participant services module, a corporate services module and an execution services module. The modules communicate with at least one database. The system has an adaptor, preferably a standard messaging adaptor, for communication with a web system and external systems, at least one of said external systems being a trade execution system. The environment of this servicing system can accommodate and communicate with any other banking, trading and administrative systems. Furthermore, the servicing system is based on an open architecture. This servicing system is very flexible, highly customizable and can meet the requirements of international companies, especially European companies.